Once again I am so proud to be a representative of PCAVT. It seems impossible that in 2022 we are still talking about a pandemic, but we now are understanding much more the profound effect COVID-19 has had on Vermonters. We see it in not only in the rates of substance use disorders and deaths due to narcotic overdose, but also in the number of calls to the PCAVT Parents’ Helpline. PCAVT continues to be a state, national and international leader in the prevention of child sexual abuse and healthy sexual development as well as healthy parenting. While becoming Zoom proficient was never the goal for PCAVT’s staff, the pandemic’s limitations have provided a silver lining. Our education providers have been able to deliver more training programs and hold more family support programs than in the now long gone “pre-pandemic days,” and in 2021, 7,500 adults and children received direct training or support, which extends to a much larger “family” of nearly 60,000 children and adults who will be touched by these programs.

Vermont has lead the way nationally in managing the pandemic using the shared sense of responsibility that we all have to keep our communities and each other safe. This is PCAVT’s core mission “to promote and support healthy relationships within families, schools and communities to eliminate child abuse”. Eliminating child abuse will have long lasting effects on our community, and will keep children and families safer.

Even without the challenges of online school, employment challenges, and social isolation created by COVID-19, parenting is hard work and protecting your children is a never ending job. The Vermont Parent's’ Home Companion serves as a source of information and support to help you navigate the challenges of creating a healthy family. May your parenting successes be far more frequent than your challenges.

Leslie DeMars

PCAVT Board Vice Chair

Access the 33rd edition of the Vermont Parents Home Companion HERE

The 34th edition will be available in April of 2022.